Minneapolis, MN-based Orthopedic Physical Therapy Products (OPTP) in April published the 37th edition of its semiannual professional catalog.
OPTP releases professional catalog
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2017
Lower Extremity Review
Benefits of blood flow: Effect may facilitate Achilles healing
Microcirculatory blood flow two weeks after Achilles tendon repair is correlated with long-term patient-reported and functional outcomes, according to research from Sweden in which blood flow in both the injured and contralateral tendons was associated with healing potential.
By Katie Bell
Visual feedback on ground contact time helps improve performance in runners
Visual-augmented feedback-based training focused on reducing ground contact time is associated with improved performance in trained distance runners, according to a Swiss study.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
ACLR patients exhibit hop test deficits between limbs and vs matched controls
After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), hop test scores differ not only between limbs but also when scores for either limb are compared with normative data from healthy athletes, according to research from the Netherlands that could have return-to-sports implications.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
Alternating recurrence: Subsequent ulcers often occur in new sites
Most practitioners are aware that diabetic foot ulcers have a high recurrence rate, but might be surprised by findings epublished in April suggesting a relatively large number of subsequent ulcers occur at new locations, including the contralateral foot.
By Stephanie Kramer
Shoe closure technique affects thermal stress response in at-risk individuals
Shoelace closure technique can affect plantar thermal stress response (TSR) in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, according to a study from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, that has implications for foot ulcer prevention.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
High neuropathy prevalence at rural free clinic underscores unmet need
The prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy at a free clinic in rural South Carolina is significantly higher than averages reported in the literature, according to findings that underscore the need to improve diabetes education and foot care in underserved populations.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
Out on a limb: Healing arts
Healthcare practitioners and artists wouldn’t seem to have much in common, other than perhaps an appreciation of anatomy. But a new book has made me think the two professions also share an appreciation of people.
By Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor
Stepping Up: Orthotic devices help patients boost physical activity levels
Improved mobility with ankle foot orthoses and other devices can help patients experience the multiple health benefits of increased physical activity. But aggressive activity goals— including the oft-cited target of 10,000 steps per day— may still be problematic for some device users.
By Larry Hand
National Biomechanics Day thrills kids worldwide
National Biomechanics Day continued to build momentum in its second year, as scientists from Delaware to New Zealand got a jump on recruiting the next generation of biomechanists by demonstrating a wide range of applications—not to mention just how much fun the field can be.
By Hank Black
Stress fractures: Lessons from military research
Lower extremity stress fractures are not limited to members of the armed forces, but have been studied extensively in military populations. That body of evidence has important implications for stress fracture prevention and management in runners, other athletes, and even nonathletes.
By Baris K. Gun, DO; Andrew C. McCoy, DPM; Kevin C. Wang, BS; and Brian R. Waterman, MD
Somatosensory deficits following ACL surgery
Research suggests light touch sensation in the foot and ankle may be negatively affected several years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction—a finding consistent with studies that have reported decreased somatosensation in patients with other lower extremity conditions.
By Matthew Hoch, PhD, LAT; Steven Morrison, PhD; and Johanna Hoch, PhD, LAT
Unique orthotic strategies for low-volume footwear
The low-volume shoes worn by cyclists, figure skaters, and others can make orthotic management of these patients challenging. So, lower extremity practitioners have had to develop creative strategies for achieving the desired biomechanical effects while working within a limited space.
By Jill R. Dorson
Sports injury prevention experts revisit risk factors and advocate for adherence
Despite strides, gaps between lab and practice remain
It’s an exciting time for clinicians involved in preventing sports injuries. Increasing numbers of studies are identifying risk factors associated with specific injuries and documenting the effectiveness of preventive interventions for reducing injury rates.
Online counseling helps reduce injuries in highly specialized youth athletes
Early single-sport specialization in youth athletes is associated with increased risk of reinjury in addition to primary injury, but online counseling can help to reduce those risks, according to two studies from Atlanta presented at the IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury and Illness in Sport, held in Monaco in March.
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